[Seth]

I don't understand why Nintendo doesn't just take the plunge into online gaming now? Really, they must know that they'll have to do online gaming some time...so why not do it now and just get it over with. But no, they have to wait and wait until Sony and Microsoft have a fairly strong online base. Also, I was at my local eb a couple of days ago and 2 people went away with the xbox because the clerk mentioned online gaming. They went in there all interested with the cube but by the time the clerk was done with them they wanted an xbox because the idea of online gaming with a console appeals. From what I've seen Nintendo is losing sales because they're not taking the initiative. I talk to my friends at schoool(casual gamers) and they think the ps2 and xbox are shiazz because xbox=mature/online ps2=sooo many games/online. GC=kiddy games/offline. This is how people see it. The majority of gamers now are casual ones. They walk into a gaming store wanting to pick out the best console. Once the word "online" gets mentioned or "mature" they jump on it. I'm fine with the games Nintendo themselves make. But, most people like the idea that their console is not a toy. It's a source of intertainment. Nintendo just doesn't do that. If they announced right now that they're going online then all would be good. But, I'm beginning to think that the GC won't even recieve online support by Nintendo throughout it's life.